Leaking fire retardant creates foam sea outside California airport

SAN JOSE, Calif. — A sea of foam has spilled out of a hangar at Mineta San Jose International Airport in California and onto an adjacent street.

San Jose Fire Capt. Mitch Matlow tells The Mercury News the foam is a chemical used as a fire retardant and is coming from the hangar’s fire prevention system. Matlow says the retardant discharged accidentally.

By Friday afternoon, the foam had surrounded two tanker trucks and spilled onto the street.

At first sight, the foam looked liked snow. Many people stopped to look and take pictures.